Library - VCA Guidance

VCA Guidance

The Verified Conservation Area (VCA) Registry recognises the area-based conservation actions of individuals, communities, companies and others. It is open to any area – marine or terrestrial – that has a conservation programme as set out by this Standard.

The VCA Standard sets out the requirements for registering an area as a VCA.
[Published: 2018]

The overarching goal of this management plan is to develop and utilise the Cinco Grandes wilderness area in a manner such that the seriously depleted biodiversity resources are restored and conserved over time. This ambitious plan will take place with an overall zoning policy so that large-scale wildlife reintroduction can occur in harmony with continued economic development in other parts of the Coutada.

This management plan describes the area, the current status of biodiversity, and the threats and opportunities it faces. It then sets out the following set of 12 conservation actions which are to be implemented through a three-year rolling work plan. The impacts of these actions will be monitored and reported on in annual audited conservation performance reports.
[Published: 2015]

The mission for Coutada 5 is as follows: “To plan, develop, manage and utilise Coutada 5 in such a manner that the seriously depleted biodiversity resources will be rehabilitated over time, and in line with relevant Mozambican laws and policies, thus allowing sustained consumptive and non-consumptive use of these resources, whilst at the same time pursuing sustainable agricultural developments on certain sections of the Coutada, and simultaneously acknowledging the need to involve the local communities in a positive, meaningful and mutually beneficial manner.”

The diversity of the project objectives is a reflection of the complexity of what needs to be done and of the magnitude of the venture. A total of five biodiversity-based conservation objectives, four sustainable use objectives, one each of tourism and social objectives, four fiscal and administrative objectives and two collaboration objectives were identified. These objectives are directly based on the corresponding national objectives for Mozambique, and will strive to achieve the mission that has been identified for the project.
[Published: 2014]

I am therefore of the opinion that the rehabilitation and development of Coutada 5 is feasible, and that the area will be developed according to established scientific principles and guidelines. The people involved dispose of the necessary means and resources, and also dedication, expertise and experience, to make it happen!
[Published: 2014]

The establishment of the Carpathia Wilderness Reserve at the heart of the Romanian Carpathian Mountains is a unique conservation initiative in Europe. With support of a consortium of private philanthropists organised in the Foundation Conservation Carpathia (FCC), around 20,000 ha of forests and alpine grasslands have been purchased since 2009.

The ultimate aim is secure 50,000 ha of mainly forests and integrating this area into the larger protected areas landscape of Romania.

In parallel to purchasing land, FCC has started the restoration of degraded forestland and mountain streams and acquired hunting concessions to enable wildlife comeback.
[Published: 2017]

I consider the area of the CARPATHIA project in the South-eastern Fagaras Mountains and neighbouring Piatra Craiului National Park as an excellent candidate to be included in the VCA Registry and fully support its nomination.
[Published: 2017]

This action plan presents the YLNG strategy to conserve and enhance biological diversity at the Balhaf site where Yemen LNG is constructing its facility. Moreover as now biodiversity conservation is not only a biological issue but also an economic one of increasing importance, socioeconomic biodiversity related issues in places outside project area have also been considered during this stage of the project. This YLNG BAP describes the biodiversity status of the Balhaf and the surrounding affected area, setting targets for its conservation and outlining the mechanisms for achieving these targets and the degree of implementation. As it is in line with priorities of the draft national biodiversity strategy and action plan, this BAP is also contributing to the conservation of Yemeni biodiversity. Finally it uses the phased approach in implementing commitments in the action plan which means that some of the actions are being implemented or will be implemented during construction; whilst detailed development and implementation of other actions will take place during the operational phase.
[Published: 2008]

It is my conclusion that the planned actions are coherent, strategic and realistic. This in combination with the commitment from Company leads me to recommending the area to be registered as a VCA. The only reservations I have are related to the overall political situation in the country, which may make it impossible to manage the operations according to the plans.
[Published: 2015]

The purpose of this Biodiversity Action Plan (BAP) is to set out the strategic framework plan for biodiversity action through the operations phase of Yemen LNG at the Balhaf Headland. To assure investors and stakeholders that the plan is biodiversity responsible, it has been developed in accordance with the Verified Conservation Areas (VCA) Standard which encourages the use of best practice approaches for biodiversity conservation including the International Finance Corporation’s Performance Standard 6. In so doing, Yemen LNG is one of the first companies to commit to a new industry standard for verified conservation.
[Published: 2015]

The long-term preservation of this national treasure requires a continuation of high environmental standards thus far applied by the Company as well as the recognition of the area’s importance by relevant national and international bodies. Yemen LNG has organized to design a VCA in which it includes; a baseline assessment update, SWOT analysis as well as an action plan.
[Published: 2014]